Methods and apparatus for establishing a fixed wireless telephone service

• US 6,836,644 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2002
• Issued: 12/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Peon, Roberto, Bacon, James, Sherman, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): CRAVER, CHARLES R
• Application Number:
  US10/324,543
• Publication Number:
  US 20040203482A1
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 455/426.1, 455/426.2, 455/74.1, 455/74, 455/552.1, 455/553.1, 455/556.1, 455/555, 455/554.2, 455/554.1, 455/575
• US Class Current: 455/74.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724098 Interfacing with an on-board device of a vehicle for hands-free speaking in vehicles H04M1/6075
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/14 WLL [Wireless Local Loop]; RLL [Radio Local Loop]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/021 adapted for Wireless Local Loop operation

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for establishing a fixed wireless telephone service. A fixed wireless device includes a wireless device for establishing wireless connections to a wireless communications network that interfaces with a public switched telephone network. The fixed wireless device includes a connection that provides telephone service for an ordinary POTS-based telephone, handset, computer, or other communication device. Various techniques are provided for monitoring during use and/or verifying prior to use whether the fixed wireless device remains in an intended fixed location.

Claims

1. A method of providing telephone service, comprising:

providing an emitter device at the first location, wherein the emitter device is configured to emit short-range signals; and

providing a fixed wireless device at a first location, wherein the fixed wireless device comprises

a receiver configured to receive the short-range emitter signals and to provide a signal indicating whether an emitter signal has been received,

a converter configured to receive the signal from the receiver indicating whether an emitter signal has been received and to terminate a call in progress if the signal from the receiver indicates that an emitter signal has not been received, and

at least a wireless transmission and reception portion of a recaptured wireless mobile telephone, wherein the at least wireless transmission and reception portion is configured to provide telephone service for a POTS device by communicating through a wireless telephone system.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising charging a fixed telephone service rate for use of the at least wireless transmission and reception portion providing telephone service to the POTS device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least wireless transmission and reception portion operates with analog signals.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first location is within a vehicle.

5. A wireless device for providing telephone service to a POTS telecommunications device, comprising:

at least a transmission and reception portion of a wireless phone that has been recaptured from service and that provides telecommunications service through a wireless telephone network; and

a receiver configured to receive short-range signals from an emitter device and to provide a signal indicating whether an emitter signal has been received; and

a converter for interfacing at least the transmission and reception portion of the wireless phone to a POTS connection such that the at least transmission and reception portion provides telephone service through the converter for the POTS connection, wherein the converter is configured to receive the signal from the receiver indicating whether an emitter signal has been received and to terminate a call in progress if the signal from the receiver indicates that an emitter signal has not been received.

6. The wireless device of claim 5, wherein the at least transmission and reception portion operates with digital signals.

7. The wireless device of claim 5, further comprising:

a memory, wherein an identification code for the emitter and an identification code for a POTS device communicatively linked to the POTS connection is stored; and

wherein the converter is further configured to receive an identification code from the emitter, to receive an identification code from the POTS device, to compare the identification codes from the emitter and POTS device to the emitter identification code and POTS device identification code stored in memory, and to terminate a call if the identification codes from the emitter and POTS device are not identical to the identification codes stored in memory.

8. A system for providing telephone service, comprising:

an emitter device configured to emit short-range signals;

a fixed wireless device comprising

at least a transmission and reception portion of a wireless phone that has been recaptured from service and that provides telecommunications service through the wireless telephone network;

a receiver configured to receive the short-range signals from the emitter device and to provide a signal indicating whether an emitter signal has been received, and

a converter for interfacing at least the transmission and reception portion of the wireless phone to a POTS connection such that the at least transmission and reception portion provides telephone service through the converter for the POTS connection, wherein the converter is configured to receive the signal from the receiver indicating whether an emitter signal has been received and to terminate a call in progress if the signal from the receiver indicates that an emitter signal has not been received.

9. The system of claim 8, comprising the whole wireless phone that has been recaptured from service.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the POTS connection is an RJ-11 jack.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the POTS device is a POTS telephone.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least transmission and reception portion operates with analog signals.